Accessory for a snowboard

ABSTRACT

An accessory for a snowboard, comprising a plate ( 12 ) adapted to support the feet of a rider, the plate being constructed and arranged to be secured releasably to the snowboard, and having steering means ( 22, 24 ) which is pivotably mounted on said plate and which is constructed to extend away from the snowboard in a first arrangement, and to lie substantially parallel to the snowboard in a further arrangement.

[0001] This invention relates to improvements in or relating to snowboards.

[0002] Snowboards have, in recent times, become extremely popular as an alternative to skiing. The snowboard combines techniques of surfing with conventional snow skiing. An improved snowboard is disclosed in EP 0 778 053. This snowboard has a convex bottom surface, and is provided with a handle pivotably attached to the board.

[0003] According to the present invention there is provided an accessory for a snowboard as specified in the claims.

[0004] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

[0005]FIG. 1 shows a general view of an accessory according to the present invention in a first arrangement, and

[0006]FIG. 2 shows the snowboard and accessory in a second arrangement.

[0007] Referring FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown generally a snowboard 10, comprising an elongate, surfboard-like structure, on which a rider (not shown) stands in use. Connected to the snowboard 10 is a base plate 12. Connection is by way of blind bolts (not shown). Pivotally connected to the base plate 12 is a handlebar stem 22 on which is mounted a handlebar 24. Pivot 26 may be locked so that handlebar 22 is maintained in a substantially upright orientation with respect to base plate 12 or it may be left unlocked. A variable pitch setting means 28 can be fitted which permits the stem 22 to be inclined with respect to the baseboard. Once inclined the stem may be locked in place or permitted to pivot between a pre-set inclination and an upright position.

[0008] A disadvantage with prior art handle systems is that there is a requirement for the board to be much more rigid longitudinally than normal, or be adapted to have a convex snow engaging surface. Snow boards are designed to be stiff torsionally, but resiliently flexible longitudinally to maintain edge contact with the snow. More rigid boards turn in an unpredictable manner. By providing a separate rigid plate on which the rider stands in use, a snowboard having normal flex patterns can be used, resulting in more predictable turning, whilst providing the ability to steer the snowboard using the handlebar. This is because of the lever effect of the handlebar.

[0009] In the present example, the accessory is attached to the snowboard by four M6 bolts using the holes predrilled in the top surface of the snowboard for conventional bindings. A fixing arrangement using quick release clips could be used to enable the base plate to be removed from the snowboard quickly. In either case, the accessory can be removed and the snowboard fitted with conventional bindings if desired. This feature of the invention means that it is more versatile because the snowboard can be used conventionally as well as with the base plate and handlebar. Preferably foot grips (30) are provided on the base plate. These can simply be rubber pads with a high coefficient of friction, or they could be neoprene loops (as used on wind-surfers), or more conventional snowboard bindings.

[0010] An advantage of the rubber pads is that a snowboard rider is not strapped to the snowboard. This means that when the rider falls over, he is not attached to the snowboard and this reduces the risk of injury.

[0011] The handlebar stem can be provided with an opening (5), which enables the accessory and board to be carried easily in the folded arrangement as shown in FIG. 2.

[0012] Although in the embodiment described above the accessory is releasably securable to the snowboard, the snowboard itself could be modified to have a more rigid portion integrally formed with the rest of the board on which a person could stand, for example by building up a central part of the board to make it thicker and therefore stiffer longitudinally, without compromising the overall flexibility or snow contacting properties of the edges of the board. 

1. An accessory for a snowboard (10), comprising a plate (12) adapted to support the feet of a rider, the plate being constructed and arranged to be secured releasably to the snowboard, and having steering means (22, 24) which is pivotably mounted on said plate and which is constructed to extend away from the snowboard in a first arrangement.
 2. An accessory for a snowboard, comprising a plate (12) adapted to support the feet of a rider, the plate being constructed and arranged to be secured releasably to the snowboard, and having steering means (22, 24) which is pivotably mounted on said plate and which is constructed to extend away from the snowboard in a first arrangement, and to lie substantially parallel to the snowboard in a further arrangement.
 3. An accessory for a snowboard as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the steering means comprises a handle (24) spaced from the snowboard in said first arrangement by an elongate member (22).
 4. An accessory as claimed in claim 3 in which the elongate member is provided with an opening (5) adjacent said plate, the opening being adapted to provide a hand hold when in said second arrangement.
 5. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim in which the plate is provided with demountable foot grips (30).
 6. An accessory as claimed in claim 5 in which the foot grips (30) comprise a pad or pads made from a material which promotes friction between said pad or pads and the feet of a rider in use.
 7. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim in which the steering means includes an elongate member (22) which is lockable at a chosen angle to the base of the snowboard in use.
 8. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim in which the steering means includes an elongate member (22) the length of which is settable to different values.
 9. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim in which the steering means is secured releasably to the plate, such that in a fall the steering means will release rather than cause an injury.
 10. A snowboard including an accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, and means for securing said accessory releasably to said snowboard.
 11. A snowboard adapted to have an integral rigid platform thicker than the surrounding board, and having steering means (22, 24) which is pivotably mounted on said platform, and which is constructed to extend away from the snowboard in a first arrangement.
 12. A snowboard adapted to have an integral rigid platform thicker than the surrounding board, and having steering means (22, 24) which is pivotably mounted on said platform and which is constructed to extend away from the snowboard in a first arrangement, and to lie substantially parallel to the snowboard in a further arrangement. 